Image forming apparatus and image forming method

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus having: image forming means for visualizing image data read out by image reading means and forming it onto transfer materials; post-processing means for executing a post-process including a stapling process, a folding process, and/or a sorting process in order to execute a book-binding process to the transfer materials on which the image data has been formed; and a trimmer for executing a trimming process to a bundle of the transfer materials subjected to the binding process by the post-processing means, wherein when the trimming process by the trimmer is executed, the image forming means sets a non-image forming area including a processing portion to which the trimming process is executed and a valid image forming area excluding the non-image forming area onto the transfer material and forms the image data read out by the image reading means into the valid image forming area of the transfer material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No.10/171,537, filed Jun. 17, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an image forming apparatus or the like such asa copying apparatus or the like and, more particularly, to an imageforming apparatus or the like to which a post-processing apparatus and atrimming apparatus are attached and which can execute a binding process.

2. Related Background Art

Hitherto, there has been known an image forming system in which, to animage forming apparatus for reading an image of an original and formingthe read image onto a transfer material (paper), a post-processingapparatus for executing a binding process such as stapling process,folding process, sorting process, and the like to the paper on which theimage has been formed and a trimming apparatus for executing a cuttingprocess to the sheets of paper subjected to the binding process by thepost-processing apparatus are attached.

By attaching such post-processing apparatus and trimming apparatus, notonly the operations for the stapling, folding, sorting, and the like ofthe paper can be lightened but also the bound paper of higher qualitycan be obtained by cutting overflow portions of the folded and stackedpaper obtained after completion of the binding process.

The above conventional image forming system, however, has a problem suchthat if the sheets of paper subjected to the binding process by thepost-processing apparatus are further subjected to the cutting processby using the trimming apparatus, a distance between a paper edge of thepaper in a paper bundle obtained after completion of the cutting processand an image forming area, that is, a width of blank portion differsevery paper and is not constant, so that binding quality deteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the above conventional problems, it is an object ofthe invention to provide an image forming apparatus or the like in whichwhen image data to be subjected to a book-binding process is formed-ontopaper, a width of blank portion does not differ every paper but can beset to be constant, and binding quality can be improved.

To accomplish the above object, according to the invention, there isprovided an image forming apparatus comprising: image forming means forvisualizing image data and forming it onto transfer materials;post-processing means for executing a post-process including a staplingprocess, a folding process, and/or a sorting process in order to executea binding process to the transfer materials on which the image data hasbeen formed; and a trimmer for executing a trimming process to a bundleof the transfer materials subjected to the binding process, wherein whenthe trimming process by the trimmer is executed, the image forming meanssets a non-image forming area including a processing portion (that is, aportion to be processed) to which the trimming process is executed and avalid image forming area excluding the non-image forming area onto thetransfer material and forms the visualized data onto the valid imageforming area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a whole construction of an imageforming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed construction of adocument feeding unit 102;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed construction of aprinter unit 109;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal construction of atrimming apparatus 800;

FIG. 5 is an external view showing a construction of an operation unit108;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of a controller unit 104;

FIG. 7 is a block constructional diagram showing details of the insideof a main controller 32;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing specific examples of a bindingprocess in the embodiment;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are diagrams showing specific examples of thebinding process in the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the binding processin the embodiment;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are diagrams showing specific examples ofthe binding process in the embodiment;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are diagrams showing specific examples ofthe binding process in the embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an image forming process at the time ofthe binding process in the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the invention will be described hereinbelow withreference to the drawings.

(Whole Construction)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a whole construction of an imageforming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

An image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a plurality of hostcomputers (in the embodiment, first and second host computers 113 and114) via a LAN (Local Area Network) 120 such as Ethernet (registeredtrademark) or the like.

That is, the image forming apparatus 100 is constructed by: a readerunit 101 for executing a reading process of image data; a printer unit109 for executing an outputting process of the image data; an operationunit 108 having a keyboard for executing the input/output operation ofthe image data and a liquid crystal panel for executing a display of theimage data and various functions, or the like; a CD-ROM drive 110 towhich a CD-ROM in that a control program, the image data, and the likehave previously been written is loaded and which executes a process forreading out contents stored in the CD-ROM; and a controller unit 104comprising a single electronic part which is connected to each of thosecomponent elements and controls the component elements.

Further, the reader unit 101 has: a document feeding unit (DF unit) 102for conveying original paper; and a scanner unit 103 for opticallyreading an image of the original and converting it into image data as anelectric signal. The printer unit 109 has: a paper feeding unit 107having a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes for enclosing recordingpaper; a marking unit 105 for transferring and fixing the image dataonto the recording paper; and a paper delivery unit 106 for executing asorting process or a stapling process to the printed recording paper andejecting it to the outside.

(Document Feeding Unit)

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a detailed construction of thedocument feeding unit 102.

As shown in the diagram, a stacking tray 201 as a first original trayfor setting an original bundle has been attached to the document feedingunit 102. The stacking tray 201 is equipped with feeding meansconstructing a portion on one side of document feeding means. Thefeeding means is constructed by: a woodruff roller 210; a separationconveying roller 207; a separating motor SPRMTR (not shown); a resistroller 206; an overall belt 202; a belt motor BELMTR (not shown); alarge conveying roller 203; a conveying motor FEEDMTR (not shown); apaper delivery roller 204; a flapper 205; a recycle lever 208; a paperfeed sensor ENTS (not shown); a reversal sensor TRNS (not shown); apaper delivery sensor EFTS (not shown); and the like.

The woodruff roller 210 and conveying roller 207 are rotated by theaction of the separating motor SPRMTR (not shown) and separate theoriginals one by one from the lowest portion of the original bundle onthe stacking tray 201. The resist roller 206 and overall belt 202 arerotated by the action of the belt motor BELMTR (not shown) and conveythe separated original to an exposing position on a platen glass surface211 serving as a copyboard via sheet paths (a, b, c). Further, the largeconveying roller 203 is rotated by the action of the conveying motorFEEDMTR (not shown) conveys the original on the platen glass surface 211serving as a copyboard from the sheet path (c) to a sheet path (e) bybypassing. The original conveyed to the sheet path (e) is returned ontothe original bundle on the stacking tray 201 by the paper deliveryroller 204.

The recycle lever 208 detects one circulation of the original. At thestart of the original feed, the recycle lever 208 is put onto the upperportion of the original bundle and the originals are sequentially fed.When a rear edge of the last original exits the recycle lever 208, itdrops by its own weight. The recycle lever 208 detects one circulationof the original by the dropping operation.

When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass surface 211, a lamp212 is lit on, the movement of an optical unit 213 is started, and theoriginal is exposed and scanned. Reflected light from the original atthis time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, abbreviated to aCCD) 218 by mirrors 214, 215, and 216 and a lens 217. The image of theoriginal which was scanned as mentioned above is read by the CCD 218.The image data which is outputted from the CCD 218 is subjected topredetermined processes and, thereafter, transferred to the controllerunit 104.

In a manner similar to the original image, the read image is transferredto the controller unit 104 and recorded into a DRAM 38 via a scannerconnector 56, a video I/F 55, and a scanner I/F 46. In this instance,usually, when the original is scanned, the image is binarized by thescanner I/F 46 or can be subjected to various image processes such aschange in image density by an LUT, filtering process, and the like.However, in STEP 8101, as an image of a multivalue image (256gradations), the image is stored into the DRAM as an image of 64 linesor more in the sub-scanning direction for the purpose of detecting dust.

In the controller unit 104, an average value in the sub-scanningdirection of the image which has been read out before and recorded inthe DRAM 38 is calculated by a CPU 33. Assuming that data of one lineconsists of, for example, 7000 pixels and the number of lines is equalto 64 lines, D(X,Y) is assumed to be pixel data.

When X denotes a coordinate in the line (sub-scanning) direction and Yindicates a coordinate in the main scanning direction,

$\begin{matrix}{{{Line}\mspace{14mu}\langle 1 \rangle\text{:}\mspace{14mu}{D( {1,1} )}},{D( {1,2} )},{D( {1,3} )},{D( {1,4} )},\ldots\mspace{11mu},{D( {1,7000} )}} \\{{{Line}\mspace{14mu}\langle 2 \rangle\text{:}\mspace{14mu}{D( {2,1} )}},{D( {2,2} )},{D( {2,3} )},{D( {2,4} )},\ldots\mspace{11mu},{D( {2,7000} )}} \\{{{Line}\mspace{14mu}\langle 3 \rangle\text{:}\mspace{14mu}{D( {3,1} )}},{D( {3,2} )},{D( {3,3} )},{D( {3,4} )},\ldots\mspace{11mu},{D( {3,7000} )}} \\{{{Line}\mspace{14mu}\langle 4 \rangle\text{:}\mspace{14mu}{D( {4,1} )}},{D( {4,2} )},{D( {4,3} )},{D( {4,4} )},\ldots\mspace{11mu},{D( {4,7000} )}} \\{\mspace{146mu}{\vdots\mspace{301mu}\vdots}} \\{{{Line}\mspace{14mu}\langle 64 \rangle\text{:}\mspace{14mu}{D( {64,1} )}},{D( {64,2} )},{D( {64,3} )},{D( {64,4} )},\ldots\mspace{11mu},{D( {64,7000} )}}\end{matrix}$

At this time, the average value in the sub-scanning direction is equaltoDii(x)=(D(1,x)+D(2,x)+D(3,x) . . . +D(64,x))/64An average value in the main scanning direction is calculated by the CPU33 by using the obtained average value in the sub-scanning direction.Thus, an average density AVE of pixels in all lines which were read iscalculated by the following equation.AVE=Dii(1)+Dii(2)+Dii(3) . . . +Dii(7000)/7000

A dust detection discriminating level is calculated by the CPU 33 on thebasis of a discriminating reference which the user can designate. Thediscriminating reference which the user can designate is a value whichis previously inputted by the user via a panel I/F 62. For example, itis now assumed that one of the levels 0 to 100 can be set as amultiplication ratio Z of the average value of the discriminatingreferences. The value of Z is previously set by the user via the panelI/F 62. Since set contents of the value Z have been recorded in anEEPROM 66, the CPU 33 reads out the value Z via an input/output (I/O)control unit 51.

In the case as mentioned above, the discriminating level Judge is asfollows.Judge=AVE*Z/100

Upon detection of dirt, when the average value Dii(x) in thesub-scanning direction is Dii(x)>Judge, it is determined that there isdirt. The CPU 33 stores a discrimination result into the DRAM 38. Uponstorage of a detection result of the dirt, the CPU 33 in the controllerunit 104 reads out the detection result stored in the DRAM 38 and storesit into the EEPROM 66 via the I/O control unit 51. Since the EEPROM 66is a non-volatile memory, the detection result is held even if a powersource of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off.

(Printer Unit)

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed construction of theprinter unit 109.

A laser driver 321 in the printer unit 109 drives a laser emitting unit322 and allows the laser emitting unit 322 to emit a laser beamaccording to the image data outputted from the controller unit 104. Thelaser beam is irradiated onto a photosensitive drum 323. A latent imageaccording to the laser beam is formed onto the photosensitive drum 323.A developing agent is adhered to the portion of the latent image on thephotosensitive drum 323 by a developing unit 324.

The recording paper is fed at timing synchronized with the start of theirradiation of the laser beam by one of cassettes 311 to 314 and amanual paper feed stage 315 and conveyed to a transfer unit 325 along aconveying path 331. The developing agent adhered onto the photosensitivedrum 323 is transferred onto the recording paper. The recording paper onwhich the developing agent has been adhered is conveyed to a fixing unit327 by a conveying belt 326. The developing agent is fixed onto therecording paper by heat and pressure of the fixing unit 327.

After that, the recording paper which passed through the fixing unit 327passes along conveying paths 335 and 334 and is ejected to the outsideof the apparatus, or in case of reversing the printed surface andejecting the paper, the recording paper is guided to conveying paths 336and 338. From this position, the recording paper is conveyed in theopposite direction and passes along conveying paths 337 and 334.

If a duplex recording mode has been set, after the recording paperpassed through the fixing unit 327, it is guided from the conveying path336 to a conveying path 333 by a flapper 329. After that, the recordingpaper is conveyed in the opposite direction and guided to the conveyingpath 338 and a paper refeed conveying path 332 by the flapper 329. Therecording paper guided to the paper refeed conveying path 332 passesalong the conveying path 331 at the foregoing timing and is fed to thetransfer unit 325.

The recording paper ejected from the conveying path 334 is conveyed to afinisher unit 500. First, the conveyed recording paper is sent to abuffer unit 501. Here, the conveyed recording paper is wound around abuffer roller and buffered in accordance with the necessity. Forexample, if it takes time to perform the stapling process or the likewhich is executed downstream, a conveying speed of the recording paperwhich is conveyed from the apparatus main body can be held constant byusing the buffer unit. It can be made to be useful for improvement of athroughput.

After that, the recording paper is ejected onto a stacking tray 507 a byan upstream ejection roller pair 502 and a downstream ejection rollerpair 503.

In case of a stapling mode, the recording paper is conveyed by theupstream ejection roller pair 502, and just after a rear edge of therecording paper exits the position of the pair 502, the recording paperis returned by a knurled belt 504 and ejected onto a staple tray 505.

After the recording paper of a predetermined number are stacked and astapling process is executed by a staple unit 506, they are ejected ontoan ejecting tray 507 a by the downstream ejection roller pair 503.

The ejecting tray has three bins of 507 a to 507 c. They can be movedvertically by a driving unit (not shown) in an interlocking relationalmanner.

Although FIG. 3 shows a state where the recording paper is ejected ontothe ejection tray 507 a, it is also possible to move the recording paperupward and eject it to the ejection tray 507 b.

In the book-binding mode, the recording paper ejected from the conveyingpath 334 is sent to the inside of the apparatus until it reaches aposition where its center portion is stapled by the staple unit 506. Atthis position, the recording paper is held. After a predetermined numberof recording paper were stacked, the staple unit 506 is moved to a setposition and each of the overlaid recording paper is stapled with astaple so as to obtain one bundle.

Subsequently, the stapled paper is conveyed by a conveying roller 509 sothat its center portion is set to a folding position. An abutting member510 is pushed out toward the recording paper bundle. While the recordingpaper bundle is folded at a predetermined position by the pushingoperation of the abutting member 510, the bundle is pressed into a gapbetween a folding roller pair 511. The folding roller pair 511 sends therecording paper bundle by the feeding operation of the abutting member510. By this operation, the recording paper bundle is folded in two andejected from the folding roller pair 511. The twice-folded recordingpaper bundle is delivered onto the paper delivery tray 507 c by aconveying roller 512.

(Trimming Apparatus)

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal construction of atrimming apparatus 800.

If the trimming apparatus 800 for executing a cutting process (trimmingprocess) has been connected to the finisher unit 500, upon execution ofthe trimming process, the recording paper bundle conveyed from theinside of the finisher unit 500 by the conveying roller 512 is conveyedto a predetermined position between a conveying belt pair 804 by aconveying roller 801. An edge portion of the recording paper bundle iscut by a cutter blade 803. After that, the recording paper bundle isconveyed to a conveying roller 805 by the conveying belt pair 804 and,further, conveyed to an accumulating unit 806 by the conveying roller805.

(Operation Unit)

FIG. 5 is an external view showing a construction of the operation unit108.

Reference numeral 600 denotes an LCD touch panel for performing a mainmode setting and a situation display. Reference numeral 601 denotes aten-key for inputting a numerical value of 0 to 9, and 602 indicates anID key which is used for inputting a division number and a personalidentification mode in the case where the apparatus is administratedevery division.

Reference numeral 603 denotes a reset key for resetting the set mode;604 a guide key for displaying an explanatory picture plane regardingeach mode; 605 a user mode key for displaying a user mode picture plane;and 606 an interrupt key for executing an interruption copy.

Reference numeral 607 denotes a start key for starting the copyingoperation and 608 indicates a stop key for stopping a copy job which isbeing executed.

Reference numeral 609 denotes a soft power switch SW. By pressing thisswitch, a backlight of the LCD touch panel 600 is lit off and theapparatus enters a low electric power consumption mode. Referencenumeral 610 denotes a power saving key. By pressing this key, theapparatus enters a power saving mode. By pressing it again, theapparatus is recovered to a normal mode from the power saving mode.

Reference numerals 611, 612, and 613 denote function keys for shiftingthe operating mode to a copy function, a box function, and an expandingfunction, respectively. In the example of FIG. 5, a default pictureplane of the copy is displayed. By pressing the other function key 612or 613, a default picture plane of each corresponding function isdisplayed.

Reference numeral 614 denotes an adjust key for adjusting contrast ofthe LCD touch panel and 615 indicates a counter check key. By pressingthe key 615, a count picture plane for displaying the sum of the numberof copies used so far is displayed on the LCD touch panel 600. Referencenumeral 616 denotes an LED for showing a state where a job is beingexecuted or the image data is being accumulated into an image memory;617 an error LED for showing a state where the apparatus is in an errormode such as paper jam, door-open, or the like; and 618 a power LEDshowing a state where a main switch of the apparatus is ON.

(Controller Unit)

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of the controller unit 104.

A main controller 32 has therein: the CPU 33; a bus controller 34; and afunctional block including various controller circuits, which will beexplained hereinlater. The main controller 32 is connected to a ROM 36via a ROM I/F 35, further, connected to the DRAM 38 via a DRAM I/F 37,connected to a codec 40 via a codec-I/F 39, and connected to a networkcontroller 42 via a network I/F 41.

Various control programs which are executed by the CPU 33 in the maincontroller 32 and arithmetic operation data have been stored in the ROM36. The DRAM 38 is used as a work area for allowing the CPU 33 tooperate or an area for accumulating the image data. The codec 40compresses raster image data stored in the DRAM 38 by a well-knowncompression system such as MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, or the like anddecompresses the compressed data into a raster image. An SRAM 43 isconnected to the codec 40. The SRAM 43 is used as a temporary work areafor the codec 40.

The network controller 42 executes a predetermined control operationbetween the network controller 42 and the LAN 120 via a connector 44.The main controller 32 is connected to the scanner I/F 46 via a scannerbus 45, connected to a printer I/F 48 via a printer bus 47, and further,connected to an expansion connector 50 for connecting an expansion boardvia a general high speed bus 49 such as a PCI bus or the like and to theinput/output (I/O) control unit 51.

The I/O control unit 51 is equipped with asynchronous serialcommunication controllers 52 corresponding to two channels. Each of theasynchronous serial communication controllers 52 is provided fortransmitting and receiving a control command to/from the reader unit 101and printer unit 109. Each serial communication controller 52 isconnected to the scanner I/F 46 and printer I/F 48 via an I/O bus 53.

The scanner I/F 46 is connected to the scanner connector 56 via a firstasynchronous serial I/F 54 and the first video I/F 55. Further, thescanner connector 56 is connected to the scanner unit 103 in the readerunit 101. The scanner I/F 46 executes a desired binarizing process tothe image data received from the scanner unit 103, executes a zoomingprocess in the main scanning direction and/or the sub-scanningdirection, forms a control signal on the basis of a video signaltransmitted from the scanner unit 103, and transfers it to the maincontroller 32 via the scanner bus 45.

The printer I/F 48 is connected to a printer connector 59 via a secondasynchronous serial I/F 57 and a second video I/F 58. Further, theprinter connector 59 is connected to the marking unit 105 in the printerunit 109. The printer I/F 48 executes a smoothing process to the imagedata outputted from the main controller 32, outputs the processed imagedata to the marking unit 105, and further, outputs the control signalformed on the basis of the video signal sent from the marking unit 105to the printer bus 47.

The CPU 33 operates on the basis of the control program read out fromthe ROM 36 via the ROM I/F 35 and, for example, interprets PDL (PageDescription Language) data received from the first and second hostcomputers 113 and 114, and develops them into raster image data.

The bus controller 34 controls transfer of data which is inputted andoutputted to/from the scanner I/F 46, the printer I/F 48, or otherexternal equipment connected to the expansion connector 50 or the like.The bus controller 34 controls arbitration upon bus competition or thetransfer of DMA data. That is, for example, the data transfer betweenthe DRAM 38 and codec 40 mentioned above, the data transfer from thescanner unit 103 to the DRAM 38, the data transfer from the DRAM 38 tothe marking unit 105, and the like are controlled by the bus controller34, and the data is DMA-transferred.

The I/O control unit 51 is connected to the panel I/F 62 via an LCDcontroller 60 and a key input I/F 61. The panel I/F 62 is connected tothe operation unit 108. Further, the I/O control unit 51 is connectedthe EEPROM as a non-volatile memory via the expansion connector 50,connected to a CD-ROM drive 28 via an E-IDE connector 63, and further,connected to a real-time clock module 64 for updating/storing a date andtime which are managed in the apparatus. The real-time clock module 64is connected to a backup battery 65 and backed up by the backup battery65.

(Details of Main Controller)

FIG. 7 is a block constructional diagram showing details of the insideof the main controller 32.

The bus controller 34 is constructed by a 64-bit cross bus switch of(4×4), connected to the CPU 33 via a processor bus (P bus) 67 of 64bits, and connected to a memory controller 69 having a cache memory 69 avia a local bus (M bus) 68 only for use of a memory. The memorycontroller 69 is connected to the memories such as ROM 36, DRAM 38, andthe like and controls the operations of those memories.

The bus controller 34 is further connected to a G bus arbiter 71 and ascanner/printer controller 72 via a graphics bus (G bus) 70. The buscontroller 34 is also connected to the following component elements viaan input/output bus (B bus) 73. That is, it is connected to: a B busarbiter 74; the G bus arbiter 71; an interruption controller 75; andvarious functional blocks (a power management unit 76, a serial I/Fcontroller 77 such as UART or the like, a USB (Universal Serial Bus)controller 78, a parallel I/F controller 79 such as IEEE1284 or thelike, a LAN controller 80 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or thelike, a general input/output controller 81 such as a timer or the like,a PCI bus I/F 82 for performing the I/F operation between the B bus 73and a PCI bus serving as an external bus, and the scanner/printercontroller 72).

The B bus arbiter 74 is arbitration for cooperation-controlling the Bbus 73 and receives a bus use request of the B bus 73. After completionof the arbitration, use permission is given to one selected master,thereby inhibiting a situation such that two or more masterssimultaneously access the bus. An arbitration system has priorities ofthree levels and a plurality of-masters have been allocated to eachpriority.

The interruption controller 75 accumulates interrupting signals from theforegoing functional blocks and the outside of the controller unit 104and distributes them again to the controllers 72 and 77 to 82 which aresupported by the CPU 33 and to a non-maskable interrupt (NMI),respectively.

The power management unit 76 manages an electric power every functionalblock and, further, monitors an electric power consumption amount of thecontroller unit 104 as an electronic part constructed by one chip. Thatis, the controller unit 104 is constructed by a large scale ASIC (IC fora particular application) having the CPU 33 therein. Therefore, if allof the functional blocks operate simultaneously, a large quantity ofheat is generated and there is a fear that the controller unit 104itself is broken.

To prevent such a situation, the electric power consumption is managedevery functional block and the electric power consumption amount of eachfunctional block is accumulated as a power management level into thepower management unit 76. In the power management unit 76, the electricpower consumption amount of each functional block is summed and theelectric power consumption amount of each functional block is monitoredin a lump so that the total electric power consumption amount does notexceed a limit electric power consumption.

The G bus arbiter 71 cooperatively controls the G bus 70 by a centerarbitration system and has a dedicated request signal and a permissionsignal for each bus master. As a method of applying the priorities tothe bus masters, either a fair arbitration mode in which all of the busmasters are set to the same priority and a bus right is fairly appliedto them or a priority arbitration mode for allowing one of the busmasters to preferentially use the bus can be designated.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the scanner/printer controller 72, the scannerI/F 46 connected to the first video I/F 55 and the printer I/F 48connected to the second video I/F 58 are connected via the I/O bus 53.Sync signals for horizontally and vertically synchronizing the imagedata which is transmitted from the reader unit 101 and the image datawhich is outputted from the printer unit 109 are directly coupled.

The scanner I/F 46 is connected to a first G bus/B bus·I/F unit 86. Theprinter I/F 48 is connected to a second G bus/B bus·I/F unit 87. Thatis, the scanner I/F 46 and printer I/F 48 are independently connected tothe G bus 70 and B bus 73, respectively. The data transfer and readingand writing processes of registers are executed.

As mentioned above, the four buses (P bus 67, M bus 68, G bus 70, and Bbus 73) are connected to the bus controller 34, thereby constructing theapparatus so that the simultaneous parallel connection can be assured asmuch as possible among those four buses. (Binding process showing afeature of the invention)

An image forming process which is executed when the binding processshowing a feature of the invention is executed in the image formingapparatus having the construction as mentioned above will now bedescribed.

First, an example of forming a book by reading 16 originals and formingthe original images onto each of the obverse and reverse sides of foursheets of paper will be described.

In the example, as shown in FIG. 8A, first, the original images of Nos.“1” to “16” are read and stored into the DRAM 38. Subsequently, as shownin FIGS. 9A to 9D, a layout of the original images is determined on thebasis of a condition that a duplex printing mode of the printer unit 109is set and an obverse paper delivery is executed.

The original image of No. “10” locating at the intermediate page (thetenth page) is arranged on the left side of the obverse side of thefirst paper, and the original image of No. “7” locating at theintermediate page (the seventh page) is arranged on the right side ofthis paper. The original image of No. “8” locating at the intermediatepage (the eighth page) is arranged on the left side of the reverse side(the surface on which the image is first formed in the duplex printingmode) of the first paper, and the original image of No. “9” locating atthe intermediate page (the ninth page) is arranged on the right side ofthis paper (FIG. 9D).

In a manner similar to the above, the original images of the obversesides (“5”, “12”) and the reverse sides (“6”, “11”) are formed onto thesecond paper (FIG. 9C). The original images of the obverse sides (“3”,“14”) and the reverse sides (“4”, “13”) are also similarly formed ontothe third paper (FIG. 9B). The original image of “16” locating at thelast page (the sixteenth page) is arranged on the left side of theobverse side of the fourth paper, the original image of “1” locating atthe head page (the first page) is arranged on the right side of theobverse side of this paper, the original image of “2” locating at theintermediate page (the second page) is arranged on the left side of thereverse side of this paper, and the original image of “15” locating atthe intermediate page (the fifteenth page) is arranged on the right sideof the reverse side of this paper, respectively (FIG. 9A).

The synthesis images of the original images arranged as mentioned aboveare formed in the print areas on the obverse and reverse sides of eachpaper. When the synthesis image is formed, a predetermined process suchas a reducing process or the like is executed in accordance with arelation between a size of original image and the print area.

The processed synthesis image is sent to the printer unit 109 and formedon the paper. The sheets of paper are stapled to one bundle by thefinisher unit 500 as shown in FIG. 8B and the center portion of thepaper bundle is folded by a folding process, thereby forming a book ofthe recording paper.

Subsequently, a method of forming a non-image forming area upon settingof the cutting process (trimming process) will be described.

In case of executing the trimming process to the paper bundle formed asa book, in addition to the processing portion which is subjected to theprocess by a post-processing apparatus and a non-image forming area (Win FIG. 10) which is set when a center margin (to be stapled) is formed,non-image forming areas (Y1 in FIG. 10) which are subjected to thetrimming process from the paper edges are added. As shown in FIGS. 11Ato 11D, the non-image forming portions Y1 of the paper which is foldedon the inner side when it is bound as a book become larger.

Therefore, since a size of image forming area P on the inner side andthat on the outer side are different, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D,non-image forming areas Y2 are set for the inner side of the paper inaccordance with the image forming areas (FIG. 12D) of the inside paperin which the image forming area P becomes minimum, and the non-imageforming areas Y2 are set so that the image forming areas P of all sheetsof paper are set to be constant.

As mentioned above, the non-image forming areas Y2 which are added uponsetting of the trimming process are arranged from the center of thepaper, so that a good book in which the image forming areas P of allsheets of paper are set to be constant and a width of region (a blankportion) in a range from the paper edge to the image forming area ofeach paper in the paper bundle obtained after the trimming process isconstant can be obtained.

(Details of Image Forming Process)

Details of the image forming process at the time of the binding processin the embodiment will now be described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 13.

Upon setting of the copying function, first, whether the operating modeis a book-binding mode for executing the binding process or not isdiscriminated in step S101. If the book-binding mode is not set, stepS120 follows and a control regarding the normal copy output is made. Inthis example, there is executed a control such that the original is fedfrom the document feeding unit 102 and the original image read out fromthe fed original is outputted to the printer unit 109. In the printerunit 109 which received the original image, the original image is formedonto the recording paper, and the recording paper is ejected onto thebin of the finisher unit 500. After completion of the normal copy, theprocessing routine is finished.

On the other hand, if the book-binding mode has been set, step S102follows and the reader unit 101 is instructed to read the original. Theoriginal reading process is executed to all originals and all of theread original images are stored into the DRAM 38. In next step S103, alayout order of the read-out images is determined.

Subsequently, in step S104, whether the image portion is erased or notis discriminated on the basis of conditions which are necessary for thebinding process including the original size, paper size, the number ofpaper, and the like. For example, when the paper size is equal to the B5size, since the binding process cannot be executed at this paper size,it is determined that the image portion is not erased. When the imageportion is not erased as mentioned above, step S112 follows. Theoriginal images stored in the DRAM 38 in step S102 are synthesized inaccordance with the layout of the original images determined in stepS103, thereby forming a synthesis image on a paper unit basis andoutputting it to the printer unit 109. The printer unit 109 whichreceived the synthesis images forms the synthesis image data onto thepaper and sends the paper to the finisher unit 500. The presentprocessing routine is finished.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the imageportion is erased, step S105 follows and the print area excluding thenon-print area is calculated for an image forming area of the paper. Theimage forming area of the paper denotes a printable area which has beenpredetermined by the apparatus on the basis of the size of paper. Thenon-print area is an area which includes at least a portion which issubjected to a post-process such as stapling process, folding process,or the like when the paper is folded into two to thereby form a book andin which the image creation is inhibited. The non-print area is also anarea which has been predetermined in accordance with the original size,paper size, and the like. The non-print area can be changed by a userinput from the operation unit 108.

The print area is an area in which the image creation is permitted andthis area is obtained from the image forming area of the paper and thenon-print area. For example, when the images on two originals of the A4size (297 mm in the main scanning direction, 210 mm in the sub-scanningdirection) are arranged onto the paper of the A3 size, a belt-shapedarea having a width of 20 mm (10 mm+10 mm) and extending around thecenter portion of the paper as a center is set as a non-print area. Theprint area for each original image in this case is an area of 297 mm inthe main scanning direction and 200 mm in the sub-scanning direction.

<The Case where Cutting Process (Trimming Process) is not Performed>

Subsequently, step S106 follows and whether the trimming mode forperforming the trimming process to the recording paper bundle obtainedafter completion of the book-binding process has been set or not isdiscriminated. If it is determined that the trimming process is notexecuted, the processing routine advances to step S108.

In step S108, whether a relation “print area>original image area” issatisfied between the print area calculated in step S105 and theoriginal image area which is formed on the paper or not isdiscriminated. If the relation “print area>original image area” issatisfied, step S109 follows. Whether a mode to form a center margin(that is, center margin for stapling) has been set by an instructioninput of the user from the operation unit 108 or not is discriminated.

If the mode to form the center margin has been set, step S110 follows.The image on the left side of the paper is shifted to the left edge sideof the print area, a margin (that is, margin for stapling) is formed onthe right side of the image, the image on the right side of the paper isshifted to the right edge side of the print area, and a margin is formedon the left side of the image, thereby forming a margin which extendswith a predetermined width in the main scanning direction around thecenter portion of the paper as a center.

In step S111, an erasing range of the image portion is set. In thisexample, since the center margin was formed in step S110, this centermargin is set to the non-print area which has been set as mentionedabove. If the center margin is not formed, the non-print area which hasbeen set in step S107 is legally set as a non-print area and the erasingrange of the image portion is set on the basis of this non-print area.

In step S112, the original images stored in the DRAM 38 in step S102 aresynthesized in accordance with the layout order of the original imagesset in step S103 as mentioned above, thereby forming a synthesis imageon a paper unit basis and outputting this synthesis image to the printerunit 109. The present processing routine is finished.

Upon creation of the synthesis image, the synthesis image in which theimage portion corresponding to the erasing range of the image portionset in step S111 has been erased is formed. The printer unit 109 whichreceived the synthesis images forms the synthesis image data onto thepaper and sends this paper to the finisher unit 500. The presentprocessing routine is finished.

As mentioned above, if the trimming process is not performed, there is acase where a slight deviation occurs among the edges of the overlaidpaper bundle or between the inner side and the outer side of the printedimage.

If the relation “print area>original image area” is not satisfied instep S108, step S130 follows. Whether a mode to reduce the originalimage has been set by the user or not is discriminated. If the mode toreduce the original image is not set, step S131 follows. Whether a modeto shift the center has been set by the user or not is discriminated. Ifthe mode to shift the center is not set, step S111 follows and theerasing range of the image portion is set. The foregoing presetnon-print area is now set as a non-print area and the erasing range ofthe image portion is set on the basis of this non-print area.

Subsequently, the original images stored in the DRAM 38 in step S102 aresynthesized in accordance with the layout order of the original imagesset in step S103, thereby forming a synthesis image on a paper unitbasis. The synthesis images are outputted to the printer unit 109. Thepresent processing routine is finished. Upon creation of the synthesisimages, a synthesis image in which the image portion corresponding tothe erasing range of the image portion set in step Sill has been erasedis formed. The printer unit 109 which received the synthesis imagesforms the synthesis image data onto the paper and sends this paper tothe finisher unit 500. The present processing routine is finished.

As mentioned above, if the reduction of the original image and thecenter shift are not performed under the condition that the relation“print area>original image area” is not satisfied, since the non-printarea is set, a partial drop-out of the image occurs.

If it is determined in step S131 that the center shift has been set,step S132 follows and the center is shifted. The center shift denotes aprocess for shifting the center of the original image to the print area.The center shift is performed in the case where, for example, if theimage area which the user does not want to erase is included in thenon-print area, the image portion is shifted from the non-print area tothe position of the print area.

If it is determined in step S130 that the image reduction has been set,step S140 follows. A reduction magnification at which the original imagecan be enclosed in the print area is calculated and the image is reducedon the basis of the calculated reduction magnification. In the foregoingexample of arranging two original images of the A4 size onto the paperof the A3 size, since the magnification is equal to 297 mm/297 mm=100%in the main scanning direction and is equal to 200 mm/210 mm=95% in thesub-scanning direction, the magnification of 95% is set in both of themain scan and the sub-scan, and the image reduction is performed.

Subsequently, step S111 follows and the erasing range of the imageportion is set. The preset non-print area is set as a non-print area andthe erasing range of the image portion is set on the basis of thenon-print area. Subsequently, the original images stored in the DRAM 38in step S102 are synthesized in accordance with the layout order of theoriginal images set in step S103, thereby forming a synthesis image on apaper unit basis. The synthesis images are outputted to the printer unit109. The present processing routine is finished. Upon creation of thesynthesis images, a synthesis image in which the image portioncorresponding to the erasing range of the image portion set in step S111has been erased is formed. The printer unit 109 which received thesynthesis images forms the synthesis image data onto the paper and sendsthis paper to the finisher unit 500. The present processing routine isfinished.

As mentioned above, if the original image is reduced under the conditionthat the relation “print area>original image area” is not satisfied,since the original image is reduced and can be enclosed in the printarea, a partial drop-out of the image does not occur.

However, since the trimming process is not performed, there is a casewhere a slight deviation occurs among the edges of the overlaid paperbundle or between the inner side and the outer side of the printedimage.

<The Case of Performing Cutting Process (Trimming Process)>

If it is decided in step S106 that the trimming process is executed,step S107 follows. The non-print areas from the paper edge are set everypaper in order of FIGS. 9A to 9D in accordance with the layout order ofthe original images determined in step S103 in addition to the printarea calculated in step S105. If the paper bundle was folded andoverlaid, the paper of FIG. 9A is located on the outermost side and thesheets of paper are folded to the inner side in order of FIG. 9A to FIG.9D.

When the trimming process is performed, a cutting width of paper in FIG.9D corresponding to the innermost side becomes maximum and a cuttingwidth of paper in FIG. 9A corresponding to the outermost side becomesminimum. Thus, the non-print area is set so that a distance between thepaper edge after the cutting and the print area becomes constant.Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the print area P in thesub-scanning direction of the paper which is folded to the inner sidebecomes smaller. At this time, the width between the non-print area ofthe paper edge set by the paper which is folded to the innermost side inFIG. 11D and the non-print area (set in step S105) around the centerportion of the paper as a center is set to the print area for the wholepaper.

As mentioned above, the print area of the paper which is folded to theinnermost side at the time of the binding process is set to afundamental area, thereby determining the print areas of all sheets ofpaper which are bound to thereby form a book. That is, the non-printarea around the center portion of the paper as a center set in step S105with respect to the paper which is located on the outer side uponbook-binding becomes larger.

In step S108, whether the relation “print area>original image area” issatisfied between the print area calculated in step S105 and theoriginal image area which is formed on the paper or not isdiscriminated. If the relation “print area>original image area” issatisfied, step S109 follows. Whether the mode to form a center marginhas been set by an instruction input of the user from the operation unit108 or not is discriminated.

If the mode to form the center margin has been set, step S110 follows.The image on the left side of the paper is shifted to the left edge sideof the print area, a margin is formed on the right side of the image,the image existing on the right side of the paper is shifted to theright edge side of the print area, and a margin is formed on the leftside of the image, thereby forming the margin W which extends with apredetermined width in the main scanning direction around the centerportion of the paper as a center as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D.

In step S111, an erasing-range of the image portion is set. In thisexample, since the center margin W was formed in step S110, this centermargin is set to the non-print area which has been set as mentionedabove. If the center margin W is not formed, the non-print area whichhas been set in step S107 is set as a non-print area and the erasingrange of the image portion is set on the basis of this non-print area.

In step S112, the original images stored in the DRAM 38 in step S102 aresynthesized in accordance with the layout order of the original imagesset in step S103 as mentioned above, thereby forming a synthesis imageon a paper unit basis and outputting this synthesis image to the printerunit 109. The present processing routine is finished. Upon creation ofthe synthesis image, the synthesis image in which the image portioncorresponding to the erasing range of the image portion set in step S111has been erased is formed.

The printer unit 109 which received the synthesis images forms thesynthesis image onto the paper and sends this paper to the finisher unit500. As mentioned above, in the finisher unit 500, the sheets of paperejected from the printer unit 109 are sequentially fetched, the centerportion of the paper bundle comprising a predetermined number of paperis stapled by the staple unit 506. The center portion of the stapledpaper bundle is folded by the abutting member 510. The paper bundlepasses through a gap between the folding roller pair 511 and is conveyedto the trimming apparatus 800. In the trimming apparatus 800 whichreceived the bound paper bundle, the paper bundle is conveyed to abook-binding stopper and the trimming process is executed by the cutterblade 803. At this time, since the distance between the paper edge ofthe paper obtained after the cutting and the print area is correctedevery paper, the widths of blank portions from the paper edges coincideafter completion of the binding process.

As mentioned above, according to the embodiment, since a situation thatthe widths of blank portions differ depending on the paper is avoided,if the user sets the binding process and arbitrarily designates the modeto execute the trimming process, when the original images to besubjected to the book-binding process are formed on the paper by theimage forming means, the non-image forming area to be formed onto thepaper is set every page upon book-binding, so that the image creationadapted to correct the deviation of each page of the paper subjected tothe book-binding process can be executed.

The foregoing control method can be realized by storing a programaccording to the flowchart of FIG. 13 mentioned above into the ROM 36 inthe controller unit 104 and making the apparatus operative in accordancewith this program.

The invention is not limited to the apparatus of the foregoingembodiment but can be also applied to a system comprising a plurality ofapparatuses or an apparatus comprising one equipment. Naturally, theinvention is also accomplished by a method whereby a memory medium inwhich program codes of the software for realizing the functions of theembodiment mentioned above have been stored is supplied to a system oran apparatus and a computer (or a CPU or an MPU) of the system orapparatus reads out the program codes stored in the memory medium andexecutes processes in accordance with the program codes.

In this case, the program codes themselves read out from the memorymedium realize the functions of the embodiment mentioned above. Thememory medium in which the program codes have been stored constructs theinvention. As a memory medium for supplying the program codes, forexample, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an opticaldisk, a magnetooptic disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, anon-volatile memory card, or a ROM can be used. The inventionincorporates not only a case where a computer executes the read-outprogram codes, so that the functions of the embodiment mentioned aboveare realized but also a case where an OS or the like which operates onthe computer executes a part or all of the actual processes on the basisof instructions of the program codes and the functions of the embodimentmentioned above are realized by those processes.

Further, the invention also incorporates a case where the program codesread out from the memory medium are written into a memory equipped for afunction expanding board inserted into a computer or a functionexpanding unit connected to a computer and, thereafter, a CPU or thelike provided for the function expanding board or the function expandingunit executes a part or all of the actual processes on the basis ofinstructions of the program codes, and the functions of the embodimentmentioned above are accomplished by those processes.

As described in detail above, according to the invention, when thetrimming process is executed by the trimmer, the non-image forming areaincluding the processing portion which is subjected to the trimmingprocess and the valid image forming area excluding the non-image formingarea are set onto the transfer material, and the image data is formedinto the valid image forming area on the transfer material. Therefore,when the image data to be bound to thereby form a book is formed ontothe transfer material by the image forming-means, the widths of blankportions can be set to be constant without being different everytransfer material. The valid image forming areas of all of the transfermaterials can be also set to be constant. The book-binding quality canbe improved.

1. A method for determining an arrangement location of a page dataincluded in original page data to be printed on a bundle of recordingmaterials including a first recording material and a second recordingmaterial to be folded by a folding unit, said method comprising thesteps of: performing a determining process that determines anarrangement location of a second page data on the second recordingmaterial, so that a distance from the arrangement location of the secondpage data on the second recording material to a folding position on thesecond recording material is different from a distance from anarrangement location of a first page data on the first recordingmaterial to a folding position on the first recording material;performing a setting concerning whether the determining process is to beperformed or is not to be performed as a printing condition of theoriginal page data; accepting a binding setting concerning a bindingprocess of the bundle of recording materials and a trimming settingconcerning a trimming process of the bundle of recording materials;performing a setting so that the determining process is performed as aprinting condition of the original page data in a case where a trimmingsetting is accepted; and performing a setting so that the determiningprocess is not performed as a printing condition of the original pagedata in a case where a trimming setting is not accepted.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein performing a determining process thatdetermines the arrangement location of the second page data on thesecond recording material, so that a distance from the arrangementlocation of the second page data on the second recording material to thefolding position on the second recording material is narrower than adistance from the arrangement location of the first page data on thefirst recording material to the folding position on the first recordingmaterial.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining anarrangement location of one page data included in the original pagedata, so that a distance between an arrangement location of the pagedata and an arrangement location of another page data on the samesurface of a recording material is different from one recording materialto another recording material.
 4. A method according to claim 1, whereinthe bundle of recording materials is folded in two so that the firstrecording material is located outside of the second recording material.5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the setting is performed onthe basis of instruction input via a user interface unit.
 6. Acontroller for an image forming system for forming an image on arecording material of a bundle of recording materials to be folded by afolding unit, the bundle of recording materials including a firstrecording material and a second recording material, said controllercomprising: a unit that performs a determining process that determinesan arrangement location of a second page data on the second recordingmaterial, so that a distance from the arrangement location of the secondpage data on the second recording material to a folding position of thesecond recording material is different from a distance from anarrangement location of a first page data on the first recordingmaterial to a folding position of the first recording material; a unitthat performs a setting concerning whether the determining process is tobe performed or not to be performed as a printing condition of theoriginal page data; a unit that accepts a binding setting concerning abinding process of the bundle of recording materials and a trimmingsetting concerning a trimming process of the bundle of recordingmaterials; and a unit that performs a setting so that the determiningprocess is performed as a printing condition of the original page datain a case where a trimming setting is accepted and performs a setting sothat the determining process is not performed as a printing condition ofthe original page data in a case where a trimming setting is notaccepted.
 7. A controller according to claim 6, wherein said unit thatperforms a determining process determines the arrangement location ofthe second page data on the second recording material, so that adistance from the arrangement location of the second page data on thesecond recording material to the folding position on the secondrecording material is narrower than a distance from an arrangementlocation of the first page data on the first recording material to thefolding position on the first recording material.
 8. A controlleraccording to claim 6, wherein said controller that determinesarrangement locations of a page data included in original page data, sothat a distance between an arrangement location of a page data and anarrangement location of another page data on a same surface of arecording material is different from one recording material to anotherrecording material.
 9. A controller according to claim 6, wherein thebundle of recording materials is folded in two so that the firstrecording material is located outside of the second recording material.10. A controller according to claim 6, wherein said setting is performedon the basis of instruction input via a user interface unit.
 11. Acomputer-readable medium storing a computer-executable program fordetermining an arrangement location of a page data included in originalpage data needed for printing to a recording material of a bundle ofrecording materials including a first recording material and a secondrecording material to be folded by a folding unit, said medium storing acomputer-executable program comprising code for causing a programmablecomputer to execute the steps of: performing a determining process thatdetermines an arrangement location of a second page data on the secondrecording material, so that a distance from the arrangement location ofa second page data on the second recording material to a foldingposition on the second recording material is different from a distancefrom an arrangement location of a first page data on the first recordingmaterial to a folding position on the first recording material;performing a setting concerning whether the determining process is to beperformed or is not to be performed as a printing condition of theoriginal page data; accepting a binding setting concerning a bindingprocess of the bundle of recording materials and a trimming settingconcerning a trimming process of the bundle of recording materials;performing a setting so that the determining process is performed as aprinting condition of the original page data in a case where a trimmingsetting is accepted; and performing a setting so that the determiningprocess is not performed as a printing condition of the original pagedata in a case where a trimming setting is not accepted.
 12. Acomputer-readable medium according to claim 11, wherein saidcomputer-executable program further comprises code to execute a step ofperforming a determining process that determines the arrangementlocation of the second page data on the second recording material, sothat a distance from the arrangement location of the second page data onthe second recording material to the folding position on the secondrecording material is narrower than a distance from the arrangementlocation of the first page data on the first recording material to thefolding position on the first recording material.
 13. Acomputer-readable medium according to claim 11, wherein saidcomputer-executable program further comprises code to execute a step ofdetermining an arrangement location of one page data included inoriginal page data, so that a distance between an arrangement locationof the one page data and an arrangement location of another page data ona same surface of a recording material is different from one recordingmaterial to another recording material.
 14. A computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 11, wherein the bundle of recording materials isfolded in two so that the first recording material is located outside ofthe second recording material.
 15. A computer-readable medium accordingto claim 11, wherein the setting is performed on the basis ofinstruction input via a user interface unit.